Pencil



Patented Aug. 10, 1926.

JOHN W. GREENING, OF EL DORADO, ARKANSAS.

PENCIL.

Application filed February 9, 1925. Serial ITO. 7,53%.

My invention relates to improvements in pencils.

An important object of the invention is to provide a pencil having means whereby the stylus or point is automatically retracted into the barrel of the pencil when the pressure of the fingers from the barrel, in the act of writing, is released.

-A further object of the invention is to provide a device of the above mentioned character which is simple in construction. and reliable in operation.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings" forming a part of this specification-and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same Figure 1 is a side elevation of a pencil embodying my invention with the stylus retracted,

Figure 2 is a similar view with the stylus projected,

Figure 3 is a central longitudinal section of the pencil with the stylus retracted,

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the front section or barrel of the pencil,

Figure 5 is a perspective View of the stylus holding tube or element, and,

Figure 6 is a transverse section taken on line 66 of Figure 3.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the numeral 10 designates the front barrel or tubular section of the pencil, which may be formed of metal, wood, celluloid, or any other suitable material. The numeral 11 designatesa rear barrel or tubular section which may be equipped with an eraser 12, and is adapted for holding lead points 13 or the like. The section 11 may be screw-threaded upon the rear end of the section 10, or otherwise detachably secured thereon.

Preferably screw-threaded upon the forward end of the barrel or tubular section 10 is a tubular cap 14, having an opening 15 within which is slidably mounted a tubular stylus or point holder 16, carrying the stylus 17. held therein by any suitable means. This stylus may be a lead point, crayon, or the like.

The barrel 10 is provided near its forward end with longitudinal slots 18, of substantial length. Mounted to slide within these slots are elongated plates or grips 19, the outer faces of which are substantially flush with the out-er surface of the barrel 10. These grips are preferably provided with lugs or projections 20, xtending radially beyond the periphery of the barrel 10. The grips19 are rigidly secured to radial arms 21, rigidly attached to a hub 22, which in turn is suitably rigidly mounted upon the stylus or point holding member ortube 16.

Surrounding the rear portion of the tube 16 is a retractile coil spring 23, the forward end of which is attached to one of the arms 21 and the rear end of which is attached to a block 24, held within the rear end of the barrel 10 and preferably having a flange 25, engaging behind the rear end of this barrel so that the block cannot move forwardly in the barrel.

In use, it is obvious that the fingers may readily engage the projections 20 and thereby shift the grips 19 forwardly, for pro jecting the stylus 1'? beyond the cap 14. In writing, the grips 19 are held by the pressure of the fingers, and the stylus is retained in the forward projected position. As soon as the writing is stopped, and the pencil is released, the spring 23 automatically and instantly moves the stylus rearwardly into the cap 14, whereby it is protected from being broken.

It is to be understood that the form of my invention herewith .shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be re sorted to without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

' Having thus described my invention, I claim 1. A pencil comprising a tubular body provided near its forward end with longitudinal slots which are substantially equidistantly spaced circumferentially of said tubular body, a stylus carrying element longitudinally movably mounted'within the tubular body and having its forward end adapted to be projected beyond the forward end of the tubular body, a spring to retract the stylus carrying element so that the forward end of the same is brought within the tubular body, and a spider mounted upon the stylus carrying element and having long transversely curved plates slidably mounted within longitudinal slots, the outer surfaces of the plates being substantially flush with the outer surface of the tubular body.

2. A pencil comprising a tubular body having a plurality of longitudinal slots near its forward end, said slots being circumferentially spaced, a stylus longitudinally movably mounted within the tubular body, a spring to retract the stylus, and a spider mounted upon the stylus and carrying plates which are slidable within the longitudinal slots, said plates being transversely curved, the outer surfaces of the plates being substantially flush with the outer surface of the tubular body, said plates carrying lugs projecting a short distance radially outwardly beyond the same.

A pencil comprising a tubular body having at least three longitudinal slots at its forward end whch extend through said forward end, said slots being substantially equi-distantly spaced, a stylus longitudinally movably mounted within the tubular body, a sp "ing to retract the stylus, a spider mounted upon the stylus and having arms carrying at least three plates which are slidable within the longitudinal slots, said plates having their outer surfaces substantially flush with the outer surface of the tubular body and carrying projections extending beyond the outer surface of said tubular bOC y, a tubular cap mounted upon the forward end of the tubular body and normally closing the forward ends of said slots and guiding the stylus, and a guide member for the inner end of the stylus arranged within the tubular body.

A pencil comprising a tubular body p/wid-ed at forward end With at least three longitudinal slots which extend through such forward end, a longitudinally movable stylus positioned within the body, a spider mounted upon the stylus and em ying arms carrying at least three plat-es slidable within said lots, said plates being substantially flush with the outer surface of the tubular body and having rounded proicctions, a tubular cap mounted upon th forward end of the tubular body and covering the forward. ends of the slots and guiding the stylus, a tubular block mounted within the rear end of the tubular body and having an outwardly projecting flange engagsuch rear end and a retractile coil spring surrounding the stylus. and attached to the spider and the tubular block and serving to in place.

in testimony whereof I affixmy signature.

JGHN W. GREENING.

-ract the stylus and to retain the block 

